Jow-Ga kung fu
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Also known as | Jow Ga, Jow-style boxing[1] |
---|---|
Focus | Striking |
Country of origin | China |
Creator | Jow Lung (1891–1919) |
Famous practitioners |
|
Parenthood | Hung Ga, Choy Gar, Northern Shaolin kung fu |
Olympic sport | No |
Part of a series on |
Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
---|
Jow Ga kung fu (Chinese:
History
[edit]Jow Ga is a system of traditional kung fu that was developed from three Shaolin systems; namely, Hung Ga, Choy Gar and Northern Shaolin kung fu. (Ga means: family) Jow Ga is known as Hung Tao Choy Mei because the system incorporated Hung Ga kung fu's powerful upper body techniques and Choy Ga kung fu's swift footwork and complex kicking techniques from Northern Shaolin kung fu. Hung Ga kung fu is a southern style that was developed for close to medium range defense. This style emphasizes low stances and is especially known for its low horse stance. Kicks are generally low and hand techniques are powerful and direct using the strong stances to deliver formidable blows, namely, a tremendous thrust punch.[3] This style also includes the five animal techniques of the leopard, dragon, tiger, crane and snake. This style primarily uses the tiger and crane, hard and soft animal techniques from its Shaolin origins. Hung means to stand tall with integrity. Choy Gar kung fu is also a southern style emphasizes long reaching hands and wide horse stances.
The "hang fist", "throw punch", "upper cuts", "hammer back fist", "downward whipping punch" and "jab punch" are some typical and effective techniques of the system. This system is an aggressive system that emphasizes long range techniques and blitz attacks. The power is generated from the hips in a rotating fashion. Elusive footwork is also prominent in this system as are grappling, throwing, high and low kicks. Intercepting and jamming are favorite techniques employed. Northern Shaolin kung fu originated from the Shaolin temple that resided in Northern China before its destruction. The present system of Northern Shaolin kung fu specializes in long range fighting techniques. This system maintains that kicks are more effective than hand movements because the legs are longer than the arms thereby keeping the opponent further away. Low stances are not emphasized as they reduce mobility. This style requires constant mobility to be effective. Jow Ga utilizes these three systems combined into one. To defend one would use strong low stances and hold ground or may rely upon evasion tactics. To attack the Jow Ga practitioner can rely on Choy Gar long reaching arm techniuques combined with Northern Shaolin kung fu kicks and mobility. This system is suitable for all body types and can tailored to each individual. The student can master techniques most suited to him/her. This style requires hard work and discipline and is physically demanding. There are over twenty traditional hand forms, including tiger-crane, tiger-leopard, and the famous five animal form.
Training includes an internal breathing form called Iron Wire Fist, which is used to strengthen muscles, organs and bones. Additionally, there are over eighteen weapons sets including batons, the staff, spear, three sectional staff, wind sword, whip chain and double edge straight sword. Straight sword is the most revered and respected because its use demands a total knowledge of fluidity to master.
The founder of the system was Jow Lung. Jow Lung was born during 1891 in Hsin-Hui Sheng Sha Fu village in the Canton Province of China. Jow Lung starting learning Hung Gar at an early age from his uncle, Jow Hung Hei; who is a student of Wong Kei Ying. Jow Lung's training began with basic stances and stepping. Regardless of age, those who practice Hung Gar suffer the most from basic stance and step training. Jow Lung never complained about the training and his uncle took a special liking to him. One day Jow Hung told Jow Lung that he didn't think he would live much longer due to symptoms of an old illness. Jow Hung told Jow Lung that he knew a unique set of bagua staff techniques that he wanted to pass on to Jow Lung before he died. Uncle Hung told Jow Lung that his kung fu technique had come to the point that if he learned the bagua staff techniques, he would be one of the best in the martial arts field. Within one month, Jow Lung learned the bagua staff techniques. Shortly after Jow Lung learned the bagua staff techniques, his Uncle Jow Hung died. After the death of his uncle, Jow Lung followed Master Choy Gar Gung / Choy Kau (Chi Ching Tsai Kong) and learned Choy Ga kung fu. It took Jow Lung only a few years to master the Choy Ga kung fu because of his basics in Hung Gar kung fu. At the age of 18, Jow Lung had a difficult time finding a job in his hometown through the introduction of his townspeople, so he traveled to Malaysia (Singapore and Malaysia were one country at that time). In 1910, Jow Lung and many others went to find work as miners in Kuala Lumpur. The bosses, who were described as gangsters, would often beat the workers. One day Jow Lung got into a fight with one of his bosses and fatally wounded him. Jow Lung fled to the mountains and found a temple named "Gi Leu" ("Kek Lok Si" in some accounts).[2] Because he hadn't eaten for many days and was exhausted, he asked an apprentice at the temple for help. The master of the temple Chian Yi, agreed to provide shelter for Jow Lung in the temple. Chian knew that Jow Lung had a natural talent for kung fu from the moment he saw him. Chian Yi taught Jow Lung Northern Shaolin kung fu and medicine.
One day Master Chian Yi called Jow Lung and told him, "I have passed on to you the Northern Shaolin martial arts and medicine, and now your skills are good enough to hold a special place in the martial arts field." Master Chian Yi then ordered Jow Lung to leave the temple. When Jow Lung went back to Kuala Lumpur, he felt like centuries had gone by, but he never stopped practicing kung fu. From continuous practice, Jow Lung realized the uniqueness of the three styles of kung fu he learned and decided to combine them into one, thereby developing Jow Ga kung fu. Jow Lung felt that he would not be able to spread his family's kung fu in Kuala Lumpur, so he went back to his hometown in China.
Beginnings in southern China
[edit]Jow Lung (
Jow Lung also had an uncle named Jow Hung Hei (
Jow Hung Hei recognized Jow Lung as his best student due to his hard work. Due to the return of a chronic illness, Jow Hung Hei would teach him the remaining techniques and the bagua staff fighting techniques. Only a month later Jow Hung Hei died.
The death of his uncle did not stop Jow Lung from continuing his studies learning kung fu. He traveled to Siu Hing County to become the student of Choy Gau Gung (蔡九
Constantly exploring the strong points of each style with his brothers (Hung Ga's Steady Power & Penetrating Strikes and Choy Ga's Fast Changes & Fluid Footwork), they came up with the name "Hung Tao Choy Mei" (
Jow Lung's travels in Southeast Asia
[edit]Due to family hardships, Jow Lung (age 19) left home (first to Singapore then to Malaysia) to find work. While there, he was involved in a fight that fatally wounded a gangster. On the verge of collapse from exhaustion and starvation he sought refuge at a Monastery. Abbot Chian Yi (Hong Yi) being most sympathetic to his plight allowed him to stay. After several months of keen observation, the Abbot had no doubt as to Jow Lung’s character and began teaching him the Northern Shaolin kung fu that he learned in Henan Province. Also some elements of Ng Ying kung fu (Chinese:
Acceptance in Canton and death of Jow Lung
[edit]In 1915 General Lee Fook Lam of Canton needed a chief trainer for his army. He issued an open invitation for anyone interested to compete in an elimination tournament. Out of 100 applicants only Jow Lung had defeated all his opponents and was then appointed to the position. Jow Lung sent for his brothers to assist with the training of the soldiers.[4]
In four years they taught and steadily refined the teaching methods and material into a new system which they decided to call it "Jow Ga Style". Due to the system’s effectiveness and the fame of their fighting abilities, the brothers were honored with the title "Five Tigers of Jow Ga" (
Sadly, in 1919 Jow Lung, due to exhaustion from teaching and promoting the Jow Ga Style, died at the age of only 29 from pneumonia.
New leadership and continued growth
[edit]After the death of Jow Lung the family met and elected Jow Biu to assume leadership of the system. Jow Biu resigned his position with the army and began promoting the Jow Ga system of kung fu. Within one year he had established 14 Jow Ga schools throughout China and within a few years the number had grown to more than eighty.
In 1936 the first school was established in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Hong Kong school produced several notable masters. Among them, Chan Man Cheung, Lui Chu Shek, Wong Kun Leung, Lee Ngau and many others. Jow Tin and Jow Hip also came down to Hong Kong to teach, many of their disciples are still teaching in Hong Kong.
Hand forms
[edit]Primary (core Jow Ga forms)
[edit]Siu Fook Fu Kuen - Small Tiger (
Dai Fook Fu Kuen - Big Tiger (
Chai Jong Kuen - Wooden Post Fist (
Man Gee Kuen - 10,000 Fist (
Fu Pao Kuen - Tiger Leopard (
Secondary (not found in all Jow Gar lineages)
[edit]Say Ping Kuen - Four-Level Fist (
Lohan Kuen - Arhat Fist (
Fa Kuen - Flower Fist (
Ying Jow Kuen – Eagle Claw Fist (
Kwok Gee Kuen – China/Country Fist (
Sup Gee Kuen – 10 Character Fist (
Lok Kwok Chung Kuen – 6 Cornered Seed Fist (
Siu Hung Kuen - Small Hung Fist (
A form that normally follows Small Tiger and Flower Fist in some lineages, this form is a short form that focuses on hard chi, and works on precise strikes, quick stance changes, and adapting from low to high positions. Note, this form is often confused with the Chai Jong Kuen form listed above. Between the two, this form is shorter and contains few techniques.
Dai Hung Kuen - Big Hung Fist (
Dan Gong Fook Fu Kuen - Single Crouching Tiger Fist (
Seung Gong Fook Fu Kuen - Double Crouching Tiger Fist (
Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen - Tiger Crane Double Shape Fist (
Sher Ying Bat Gua Zheung - Snake Shape 8 Diagram Palm (
Siu Ng Ying Kuen - Small Five Animal Fist (
Dai Ng Ying Kuen - Big Five Animal Fist (
Being an ever-evolving style, the Jow Gar system is always growing in material like a library or university. One thing all Jow Gar schools have in common is their focus on martial virtue seen in their distinctive bow that is executed before any performance.
Weapon forms
[edit]The Jow Ga system contains all the primary weapons found in Southern and Northern Styles. The following list is divided by the weapon, and the forms that utilise said weapon. Note all terms are based on the Cantonese pronunciation.
Daan Tau Gwun - Single Headed Stick (
- Jung Baat Gwa Gwun - Middle 8 Trigram Pole (
中 八卦 棍)
Seung Tau Gwun - Double Headed Staff (
Daan Dou - Single Sabre (
- Fu Mei Daan Dou - Tiger Tail Single Sabre (
虎 尾 單 刀 )
Daan Tau Cheung - Single Headed Spear (
- Mui Fa Cheung - Plum Flower Spear (
梅花 槍 )
Seung Tau Cheung - Double Headed Spear (
Seung Dou - Double Sabre (
- Sup Gee Mui Fa Seung Dou - Cross Patterned Plum Flower Double Sabre (
十字 梅花 雙 刀 )
Bau Jong Seung Dou/Wu Dip Seung Dou - Elbow-Guarding Knives/Butterfly Double Knives (
Dai Dou - Bladed Polearms (
- Kwan Dou - General Kwan's Polearm (
關 刀 )
- Gau Wan Dai Dou - 9 Ring Big Halberd (
九 環 大刀 )
- Choi Yeung Dai Dou - General Choi Big Halberd
Daai Pa - Cudgels (
- Dai Fu Pa - Big Tiger Lance/Trident (
大 虎 巴 )
- Fut Ga Dai Pa - Buddhist Family Big Lance/Trident (
佛家 大 巴 )
- Sae Mao - Snake Lance (
蛇 矛 )
- Fong Tien Gik - Heaven Splitting Lance (
分 天 戈 )
Daan Gim - Single Sword (
- Jik Mei Gim - Swallow Tail Sword (
燕尾 刀 )
Daan Bin - Single Whip Chain (
- Lung Mei Bin - Dragon Tail Whip (
龍 尾 鞭 )
Seung Bin - Double Whip Chains (
- Mui Fa Seung Yun Bin - Double Plum Blossom Whip Chains (
梅花 雙 軟鞭)
Sam Jit Gwan - 3 Section Staff (
- Form No. 1 (套路
一 號 )
- Form No. 2 (套路
二 號 ) Note: Found in the Dean Chin lineage and is derived from the Eagle Claw system.
Seung Pei Sao - Double Daggers (
Chor Tau - Farmer's Hoe (
Gau Chi Dai Pa - 9 Toothed Big Lance/Rake (
Ma Kiu Dun - Horse Bridge Bench (
Lung Wan Sin - Dragon Cloud Fan (
Weapon forms vary from lineage to lineage; some have many more different weapon sets. Jow Ga is most famous for its double-sabres ("
Two-man sets
[edit]Siu Fook Fu Deoi Chaak – Small Controlling Tiger Two-Man Set (
Man Gee Kuen Deoi Chaak – 10,000 Fist Two-Man Set (
Daan Tau Gwan Deoi Chaak – Single-Headed Staff Two-Man Set (
Seung Tau Gwan Deoi Chaak – Double-Headed Staff Two-Man Set (
Daan Dou Deoi Cheung – Saber vs. Spear Two-Man Set (
Seung Doa Deoi Cheung – Double Sabre Two-Man Set (
Daai Dou Deoi Cheung – Halberd vs. Spear Two-Man Set (
Seung Bei Sau Deoi Cheung – Double Daggers vs. Spear Two-Man Set (
Dani Fu Pa Deoi Darn Dou – Tiger Lance/Trident vs. Single Sabre with Shield (
Bau Jong Dou Deoi Cheung – Elbow-Guarding Knives (Butterfly Knives) vs. Spear (
Lion dance
[edit]The Jow Ga Style is famous for its lion dance. Their participation can be seen in numerous performances at various important ceremonies, primarily Chinese New Year, weddings, and government functions. The style has also become the traditional drumming style of many Vietnamese Lion dance groups, which is mistakenly called "trống Phật Sơn" (Foshan drumming) in Vietnam, because Jow Ga and Foshan (
References
[edit]- ^ Robert Hill (2010). World of Martial Arts!. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-5570-1663-1.
- ^ a b Ronald Wheeler (2014). The Power of Shaolin Kung Fu: Harness the Speed and Devastating Force of Southern Shaolin Jow Ga Kung Fu. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-1550-7.
- ^ Nancy Allison (1999). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Body-mind Disciplines. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 0-8239-2546-3.
- ^ Sensei/Renshi Nathan Chlumsky (2015). Inside Kungfu: Chinese Martial Arts Encyclopedia. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-3291-1942-0.